Best Offline Website Builders | How to Create a Website Offline

Website building solutions differ. Nowadays, users have an opportunity to choose from online and offline platforms to set up commercial and non-commercial projects.

Regardless of the type of project you are going to build and objectives you set, it really makes sense to use website builders. As a web design specialist with several years of experience, I have firsthand knowledge of how fast, easy and convenient these systems are.

Along with online website builders that have already won immense popularity, special attention should be devoted to offline web design software that currently stays in the shadows.

Meanwhile, the functionality of these systems should not be underestimated for many reasons. This is especially true, when it comes to creating feature-laden projects.

What Makes Offline Website Builders Useful?

Before we actually proceed to more detailed offline website builder exploration, let me explain what this software is. An offline website builder comes as a downloadable software, which requires installation and further exploration.

As opposed to online systems, it does not require Internet connection to customize your project. You can edit a website offline on the device you choose for this purpose. This ensures a high degree of flexibility and security of the website creation process.

Most offline web design platforms come with a drag-and-drop feature, which contributes to the ease of project editing. At the same time, these systems are quite complicated, especially for beginners. If you manage to explore and master them, however, you will certainly get the most out of the website creation process.

That being said, offline website builders are quite complex design tools, which, however, make it possible to set up, customize and update feature-laden projects for personal and business use. If you are going to use the platforms and are currently interested in the most popular systems, here are the reviews I have prepared.

Mobirise – Offline Website Builder for Mac and Windows

Mobirise – is an offline website builder for Mac and Windows, which targets all groups of users, including first-timers and is completely responsive. The platform boasts immense simplicity, intuitive web design approach, convenience and affordability. There is no need to possess coding skills to work with it – so understandable it is for everyone.

Mobirise Pros:

• Easy download, installation and set up, which does not require any web design background;
• Availability of pre-designed content blocks (over 7600) that are used to create individual website layout and structure;
• Access to multiple AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) templates needed to design various types of commercial and non-commercial projects;
• eCommerce engine that let you set up/modify blogs and online stores;
• Over 163 free and premium templates, which are responsive and customizable by default;
• Powerful integrations that enhance website design and performance, including Google Maps, Google Fonts, Vimeo and YouTube, PayPal, social networks, SoundCloud etc.

Mobirise Cons:

• No blogging tool available in stock, which does not let you create a full-featured blog – to get one, you need to integrate a corresponding content block;
• No hosting and domain name, which triggers the need to look for a third-party host;
• Complex set up, which frequently poses problems for non-coders;
• Poor customer support;
• Limited design customization options.

Mobirise System Requirements (Latest Version 5.6.13):

• Available for Windows (XP+), Mac (OS X + 10.7+) and Linux (Debian).

Mobirise Cost:

Mobirise is a completely free software, which, however, requires hosting, domain name and extra integrations. The cost of hosting will depend on the company you will select, but you can also choose Github Pages to host your project for free. To get access to paid Mobirise themes and plugins, you can go for a Premium Pack. Its cost currently constitutes $149.

Adobe Dreamweaver – Professional Offline Website Building Software

Adobe – is a professional offline website building software, which makes it possible to create, customize and publish feature-rich projects for commercial and non-commercial use. Building online applications is possible with the platform as well. The software comes as a part of the Creative Cloud service and requires baseline coding proficiency to get the most out of its integrated functionality.

Adobe Dreamweaver Pros:

• Advanced code editor that grants access to various code types, including PHP, CSS, HTML, JSP, XML JavaScript etc. needed for professional website and app development;
• Adobe Stock Marketplace with a broad selection of images and collections of illustrations for further download and integration;
• Integrates with third-party services and other Adobe products available in the CC library and Adobe Stock Marketplace (InDesign CC, Photoshop CC, After Effects CC, Dimension CC and Animate CC, Premiere Pro CC, Illustrator CC etc.);
• Rich choice of free and paid templates available for download on the web;
• The system highlights coding and offers code suggestions to users, thus simplifying the editing process for beginners.

Adobe Dreamweaver Cons:

• Dreamweaver is not browser-based, which means that your coding may look differently in the editor and in the browser;
• It takes time to explore and learn the software interface as you get access to dozens of elements and files you need to open during the website editing process;
• No WYSIWYG mode, which prevents you from seeing the end project and fixing the bugs, while still in progress;
• Coding skills are a must here.

Adobe Dreamweaver System Requirements (Latest Version 21.3):

For Microsoft Windows 10 with minimum OS version 1903 (64-bit):

• Processor – Intel® Core 2 or AMD Athlon® 64 processor; 2 GHz or faster;
• RAM – 2 GB (4GB recommended);
• Hard disk space – 2 GB of hard-disk storage space for installation + extra free space (around 2 GB) needed during installation. You cannot install Dreamweaver on removable flash storage devices;
• Monitor resolution – 1280×1024 display with 16-bit video card.

For macOS v11 (Big Sur), macOS v10.15, macOS v10.14:

• Processor – Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support or ARM-based Apple Silicon M1 processor;
• RAM – 2 GB (4GB recommended);
• Hard disk space – 3 GB of hard-disk storage space for installation + extra free space needed during installation. You cannot install Dreamweaver on removable flash storage devices;
• Monitor resolution – 1280×1024 display with 16-bit video card.

Adobe Dreamweaver Cost:

Adobe Dreamweaver doesn’t have a free plan yet you can test the software during the 7-day trial. When you decide to upgrade to a premium subscription, you will have to pay for it. The cost currently starts at $20.99/mo.

WebSite X5 – Italy-Based Offline Web Design Tool

WebSite X5 – is an Italy-based offline web design tool, which is included in the list of the oldest DIY platforms. At the same time, the software features ease of use and convenience, thus being applicable for the development of small and medium websites, blogs and even eCommerce projects. If you are a non-techie, you will appreciate the intuitive web design approach the service offers. Due to its visual editor, you won’t require any programming proficiency to set up and customize websites here.

WebSite X5 Pros:

• The system does not require coding knowledge due to the availability of the built-in drag-and-drop editor, which helps organize the submitted content and set up a quality website;
• Website export to HTML or opportunity to upload it directly to the selected host via FTP access;
• The software lets you automatically connect the SSL Certificate with HTTPs for maximum security;
• Opportunity to connect a custom domain name or use the automated URL generated by the software;
• eCommerce tools for professional show window creation and web store management (multilingual support is available here as well).

WebSite X5 Cons:

• The software is currently available for Windows and Linux only;
• There is no WYSIWYG interface here for easy visual website editing;
• Blogging and eCommerce options are available on a paid basis.

WebSite X5 System Requirements (Latest Version 2022.3):

• Operating System: 64-bit Windows 7 SP1, 8, 10, 11;
• Minimum Screen Resolution: 1024 x 720;
• RAM – not specified.

Website X5 Cost:

WebSite X5 offers a free trial that extends for 15 days. It comes without any limitations at all. To go live with your ready-made project, you will have to buy a premium package. Currently, the software has 2 licenses. Their cost constitutes $99.95 and $219.95. The fees do not include the cost of hosting and domain name.

Pinegrow – Downloadable Drag & Drop Website Development Platform

Pinegrow – is a downloadable drag & drop website development platform, which initially targets web design pros. As an offline software, it requires download and installation. The system provides a broad range of tools and features to set up and run even complicated feature-laden responsive websites. The website builder is compatible with Mac, Windows and Linux.

Pinegrow Pros:

• Access to advanced visual editing tools that let you rearrange, add and edit HTML and CSS elements;
• Opportunity to see how your project runs on mobile and desktop devices, analyzing the errors and letting you fix them on time;
• The software can be used as a CMS to create and edit static HTML pages to simplify website and content management;
• Total control over web page source code with the possibility of its further editing;
• Bootstrap and Foundation integration;
• Possibility to build ready-to-implement WordPress designs.

Pinegrow Cons:

• The system is quite complicated for first-timers, requiring deep exploration and coding basics;
• One-time fee for students;
• A standard license doesn’t have a monthly plan.

Pinegrow System Requirements (Latest Version 7.0):

• Pinegrow is available for Windows 10 & 11, macOS 12 and 13 and Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 LTS and 22.04 LTS.
• RAM (minimum) – 1 GB;
• Hard disk space – 100MB of free disk space;
• Processor – Intel Pentium 4 or more.

Pinegrow Cost:

Pinegrow has several pricing plans, but there is no free subscription/trial here. Thus, you can opt for a monthly/annual plan or get a one-time Pro License. Its cost starts at $149, although the system frequently offers notable discounts. In this case, the software offers 1 year of free updates. Upon the end of the term, you can keep using the current version of the program or renew to get free updates.

TemplateToaster – Offline Platform to Design Website Templates

TemplateToaster – is an offline platform to design website templates, the use of which does not require programming knowledge. The system works best for web design pros involved in the creation of projects for Drupal, WordPress, Magento, Joomla and other well-known CMS. The software allows choosing one of two options. Users can either pick a pre-designed responsive theme for customization or create a brand new design from scratch.

TemplateToaster Pros:

• Powerful visual editor and a set of responsive layouts that can be used for individual template creation;
• Integrated drag-and-drop interface that makes it possible to create modern UI designs with no coding knowledge needed;
• The templates builder is compatible with any CMS, letting you design high end themes for any type of website;
• Rich template gallery that includes 10 free niche design packages and a broad choice of premium themes, all of which come with the preview mode for extra convenience;
• eCommerce and blogging solutions, which make it possible to create and customize layouts for blogs and online stores in almost no time.

TemplateToaster Cons:

• Uploaded templates can no longer be edited;
• Developed for Windows only;
• Requires download, installation and hosting choice.

TemplateToaster System Requirements (Latest Version 8.1.0.21002):

• Operating System – Windows 7/8,8.1/10
• Memory – 2 GB
• Processor – Intel Core2 Duo
• Disk-Space – 200 MB

TemplateToaster Cost:

You can download TemplateToaster from the official website for free. There is also an unlimited trial version, which allows testing the software before deciding on the most suitable plan. To keep using the system and to get access to its advanced features, you will have to pick a premium subscription. There are currently two subscriptions to choose from – Standard ($49) and Professional Edition ($149).

Brackets – Powerful Open Source Text Editor

Brackets – is a powerful open source text editor, which grants access to multiple visual tools that contribute to effective, simple and hassle-free website editing. The software mainly targets front-end developers and web designers involved in the creation of custom projects. It takes time to master if for beginners as the system involves code writing/editing skills.

Brackets Pros:

• Inline editing, which eliminates the need to jump between file tabs and windows;
• Due to the availability of a real-time browser connection, Brackets allows previewing the result of your work and editing CSS/HTML codes in progress;
• Opportunity to work with preprocessors in a brand new way, which boosts the efficacy of your workflow;
• Access to the free extension registry that includes dozens of free integrations for any type of project.

Brackets Cons:

• The system does not show hints for potential syntax or coding errors;
• Some extensions have quality or performance issues.

Brackets System Requirements (Latest Version 2.0):

For Windows:

• Operating System – Windows 7 or 8
• Processor – Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon® 64
• RAM – 256MB (2GB recommended)
• Disk space – 200MB of free disk space needed for software installation
• Screen Resolution – 1280*800 display with 16-bit video card

For mac OS:

• Operating System – Mac OS X v10.6, v10.7 or v10.8
• Processor – Multicore Intel
• RAM – 256MB (2GB recommended)
• Disk space – 200MB of free disk space needed for software installation
• Screen Resolution – 1280*800 display with 16-bit video card

Brackets Cost:

Brackets is a completely free software. To download and install it, you just need to visit the official website and press the corresponding button. Integration of extensions available in the registry is free as well.

Notepad++ – Easy Offline Website Editor

Notepad++ – is an easy offline website editor, which requires download and installation (unlike standard Notepad editor that comes as a part of Windows OS). Supporting several languages, the software is based on the powerful Scintilla editing component. It uses clear Win32 API and STL and it is also written in C++, ensuring higher execution speed. This makes Notepad++ a good pick for beginners. Working with it is simple, easy and understandable for all user categories.

Notepad++ Pros:

• Notepad is accessible 24/7, being always at hand in your Windows OS after installation;
• There is access to pre-installed functions – just make sure to learn button combinations to complete specific functions;
• Opportunity to create and edit HTML web pages from scratch – just learn how to use the HTML markup correctly to reach the preset objectives;
• Used for code editing, taking notes, writing reports etc., this is the best solution for writing text drafts;
• Offers syntax highlighting, limited autocompletion for scripting, programming and markup languages as well as for code folding.

Notepad++ Cons:

• Not available for all OS;
• It sometimes takes time to open files, the size of which exceeds 100MB in the editor;
• Somewhat simple and outdated user interface.

Notepad++ System Requirements (Latest Version 8.4.7):

For Windows:

• Operating System – Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10
• Processor – Intel® Pentium® 4 or later
• RAM – 512MB
• Disk space – 100MB of free disk space needed for software installation
• Screen Resolution – 1280*800 display with 16-bit video card

Notepad++ Cost:

Notepad is a completely free software. You can download, install and use it at no cost for an unlimited period of time.

How to Create a Website Offline?

Does the process of website development with offline software differ a lot from that with online systems? Let’s discuss the list of must-have steps you generally need to complete to build a website, using Mobirise as an example.

The thing is that Mobirise positions itself as an open source website builder created with beginners in mind. Here are the guidelines that will help you get started with your new project:

• Step 1. Download and Install the Software. Reach the official Mobirise website and follow the instructions to download and install the system.



• Step 2. Select a Template. As mentioned in the description above, Mobirise grants access to multiple templates – both free and paid. They are all responsive and customizable by default. What’s interesting, Mobirise designs fall into 2 categories – standard Bootstrap ¾ themes that come with multiple built-in features, tools and attributes for professional website development and AMP themes known for their enhanced technology that allows creating accelerated web pages that load fast on all devices.



• Step 3. Add and Arrange Content Blocks. Having selected a suitable theme, you can proceed to adding content blocks (their choice is stunning!). The blocks include maps, headers/footers, responsive menus, articles, contact forms, photo/video galleries and many more. Drag and drop the required sections to create individual website layout and design.



• Step 4. Edit the Blocks. As soon as all the blocks are chosen and added to the website, you may proceed to content editing. You can adjust all the paddings in each section, replace videos/audios with those of your own, add sliders, hide/display extra components like titles/buttons etc.



• Step 5. Integrate Media Files. The next step is to add media files to make your project more interactive and interesting to browse. Likewise, you can adjust style settings to manage button/font colors, sizes, types etc. If needed, add animations – that depends on your project type and special parameters.



• Step 6. Go Live. Have you completed all the steps listed above? Then preview the result, make edits (if any) and go ahead to publish the project. Mobirise offers three options here. You can publish a website to a local drive, add it to Github Pages or use an FTP connection to upload your project to the selected hosting. That’s it – enjoy the result now!

As you see, starting a website with an offline website builder doesn’t seem complicated at first sight. However, the process proves to be much more challenging, when you dive deep into details. This especially concerns code editing and website hosting issues. So, take your time to learn all the aspects in advance.

Pros of Offline Website Builders

Offline website builders have a number of advantages that contribute to an effective, smooth and hassle-free project creation process. These include:

• Possibility of Offline Work. As mentioned above, offline website builders do not require any Internet connection. Thus, users have an opportunity to download and install them on their devices to further edit their websites in the offline-mode.
• Flexibility and Control. If you are not a coding pro yet wish to keep control over the website editing process, offline web design platforms let you do that with ease. What’s more, you can start learning the basics of CSS and HTML coding while exploring the possibilities of this software to dive deeper into details.
• Hosting Choice. Offline website builders do not have integrated hosting. Thus, users get more chances to pick a web host to safely store their projects. The fact that you work on your website creation independently implies a great opportunity to select any host that suits your needs most.
• No Recurring Payments. Unlike online website builders that mostly require monthly payments, offline software usually comes with one-time payment. You just need to pick a suitable package and buy the license to use it for an unlimited period of time. Some systems, though, may imply annual updates. This depends on the service you go for.

Cons of Offline Website Builders

Along with a list of pros, offline website builders undoubtedly have a number of demerits that may prevent potential subscribers from choosing them for website creation purposes. The most notable of them are as follows:

• Absence of Built In Web Hosting. This seems weird, but absence of integrated web hosting can be considered both a merit and a demerit. On the one hand, you are free to pick any host you like, but this can also pose a problem for newbies, who don’t have any web design expertise at all.
• Limited Feature Set. Irrespective of the fact that offline web design systems allow for code editing, they still provide a less extensive set of design customization features.
• Complex for Beginners. If you are a non-coder, you will encounter lots of nuances and problems when working with offline website builders. They are definitely more complicated and less intuitive than online systems.
• Manual Installation of Updates. Offline systems generally require manual updates to grant access to the new version of the program you use. This is one of the most widespread problems users face.
• Project Access from One PC Only. You have an opportunity to install and use the downloaded version of the software on one PC only. Thus, you won’t have access to it from other devices. This obviously restricts your website customization opportunities.

The Bottom Line

The range of web design solutions is quite impressive. Users have an opportunity to explore and select various options with regard to their goals, coding skills, budget and website parameters.

When it comes to starting full-featured projects (both commercial and non-commercial), using online and offline website builders have become a reliable solution.

While offline website builders do not require Internet connection, they still come with a number of demerits that pose problems to non-coders. This mostly concerns hosting/domain name choice, integration of external widgets/templates as well as the process of code editing itself.